“Medical education does not exist to provide students with a way to make a living, but to ensure the health of a community.” This quote comes from Rudolph Virchow, the 19th-century medical leader who helped establish today’s modern pathology.[1] He highlights the real reason as to why medical providers have chosen their path. Medical practice means more to medical professionals than financial security. Medical professionals take on the daily task of not just merely making a living but also providing top-notch healthcare to people in need.
By providing the highest degree of care founded in rigorous education, healthcare professionals improve the lives of patients and, ultimately, the quality of our world. The people they serve put their trust in them to deliver the answers to their health questions efficiently and effectively. That is why it is necessary for them, as providers, to continue their learning and training in all aspects of medicine, just as an athlete must stay committed to regular exercise to maintain optimal muscle conditioning.
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) elevates their ability to provide even better care, and it is their responsibility to seek out the necessary training specific to game-changing technology such as this modality. That begs the question, how are clinicians currently developing their POCUS skill set? What are the methods and styles of training available to the community?
Methods for POCUS Training
Two to three-day workshops give a time-efficient, focused way to obtain the latest certifications needed.
Conferences offer a wide range of industry perspectives and options in POCUS courses and applications.
Institutes, like us, Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute, provide expertise-based opportunities and on-demand resources that seek to expand one’s knowledge on POCUS.
Online courses are a popular way for clinicians to achieve their goals when time and convenience are of the essence. When providers offer continuing medical education (CME) credits alongside their courses, this adds extra value for those that are required to earn CMEs.
Styles of POCUS Training
Hands-on trainings are instructor-led, taking place in a classroom setting.
Distance learning is where educators provide oversight and feedback via digital communication tools.
Simulation training is one approach that created new space for medical providers seeking a more agile way to learn. This style allows clinicians to train on their own time while experiencing in-person, medical scenarios through AI technology.
As you can see, the options for medical professionals are many and continue to grow in variety and excellence.
References
Schultz M. (2008). Rudolf Virchow. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 14(9), 1480–1481. Retrieved March 23, 2020, from https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1409.086672.
